Sat Apr 26 14:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Iyer’s Return to Eden Gardens Fuels IPL Rivalry

**Kolkata, India** – Shreyas Iyer, the former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain who led them to their third IPL title in 2024, will return to the Eden Gardens on Saturday as the skipper of the Punjab Kings (PBKS). His unexpected release by KKR following their championship victory has added significant spice to the upcoming match.

Iyer expressed disappointment at the lack of communication surrounding his release, stating that learning about it only a week before the retention deadline was unsatisfactory. Despite his positive memories of his time with KKR, the snub clearly stung.

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar predicts a highly motivated Iyer, emphasizing the sting of being released despite leading the team to victory. Gavaskar believes Iyer will have “a point to prove, or maybe half a dozen,” against his former team. The upcoming match is particularly significant given PBKS’s earlier victory over KKR, a match which saw KKR fail to chase a paltry 112 runs, resulting in one of their most embarrassing defeats.

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke, however, believes KKR, despite their current underperformance (winning only four out of eight matches), will bounce back. He suggests KKR’s devastating potential when they find their rhythm will be unleashed, comparing their situation to that of other struggling yet capable teams like Mumbai. The match promises to be a crucial encounter for both teams.

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